This book is to help you to bring out the fighter in you. Description cannot do justice to it.
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Author: Nidaa C
Dr. Spencer Johnson, is one of the most beloved and respected authors in the world. He has helped millions of readers discover how they can enjoy better lives by using simple truths that lead to fulfillment and success at work and at home.
Dr. Johnson is often referred to as the best there is at taking complex subjects and presenting simple solutions that work.
His works like The One Minute Manager, Who Moved My Cheese, has captured the attention of major media, including CNN, ABC, NBC, the BBC, Time, New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, Business Week, Reader’s Digest, Associated Press and United Press International. Dr. Spencer Johnson’s stories of timeless, simple truths have changed the work and lives of millions of readers around the world.
Dr. Spencer Johnson in Who Moved My Cheese realizes the need for finding the language and tools to deal with change–an issue that makes all of us nervous and uncomfortable. Most people are fearful of change because they don’t believe they have any control over how or when it happens to them. Since change happens either to the individual or by the individual, Spencer Johnson shows us that what matters most is the attitude we have about change.
The book also takes the fear and anxiety out of managing the future and shows people a simple way to successfully deal with the changing times, providing them with a method for moving ahead with their work and lives safely and effectively.
Who Moved my Cheese is a story about how two mice and two little men look for cheese in a maze. The cheese pictures what we want to have in life, whether it is a small income or a life of luxury. The maze pictures where we spend our time looking for what we want. Some people are content with what they have and resist change, while others are constantly looking for new opportunities.
The mice are named Sniff and Scurry. Sniff sniffs out changes early and Scurry scurries into action. The two little men in the parable are Hem and Haw. Hem denies and resists change because he fears that something worse will happen. Haw learns to adapt in time when he sees that change can lead to something better. Throughout the book these four characters search and jog through the maze, occasionally getting lost.
On their journey the four characters barely survive until they finally see the “light at the end of the tunnel” and proceed to eat lots of cheese and are very happy. Then things begin to change. Sniff and Scurry soon notice changes in their environment. Hem and Haw, however, think they are “out of the woods” and take the cheese for granted. These two develop a comfort level in their newly found stash of cheese. Sniff and Scurry, on the other hand see that the cheese is not going to last forever so they put on their running shoes and search for new cheese.
Meanwhile, Hem and Haw do not notice the dwindling supply of cheese. They are not alert to what the future holds for them. When all the remaining cheese is finally consumed, Hem and Haw throw two huge fits like little babies. This does not bring the cheese back, yet they remain unwilling to search for new cheese.
Change occurs and Hem and Haw are left behind. Hem is bitter and reluctant to leave the cheese station in order to find new cheese. He is very stubborn. He is too set in his ways to make the necessary changes. He thinks he deserved the cheese, and wants the cheese to be returned. He is not interested in searching for new cheese. His old cheese is the only cheese he wants and he refuses to leave the empty cheese station.
Haw begins to be concerned that they are spinning their wheels. For a while he hopes that the old cheese will return. He is afraid of venturing back out into the maze, so he waits with Hem. Finally, after being very hungry from the lack of cheese, Haw, out of desperation, decides to go search for new cheese. This takes a great deal of strength for Haw to face his fears and to leave Hem behind. On his journey Haw leaves several notes on the walls of the maze as he learns new truths. A few of the writings are:
- The more important your cheese is to you, the more you want to hold on to it.
- Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old.
- Movement in a new direction helps you find new cheese.
- The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you find new cheese.
Haw eventually finds his way to the new cheese. There he discovers Sniff and Scurry, who have already found the fresh cheese and have been enjoying it for some time. Haw is sorry that he had not set out in search of the new cheese sooner. However, he misses his friend Hem, who took himself too seriously.
This entertaining little parable is a quick read which illustrates that sometimes we get too accustomed to our cheese being in a particular place and fail to notice when the supply gets smaller or is about to disappear. Then when we finally notice, we are often too frustrated to look for alternative sources of cheese, or else we eventually start looking while losing valuable time.
Some people, of course, are more astute and prepare themselves for the inevitable after observing a dwindling cheese supply. This book illustrates how some people foresee that they are going to need to make major changes in their lives. Therefore, they start searching for new alternatives before the change actually has to be made. When the change finally must be made, they are already prepared to take the appropriate actions.
This story is simplistic, but there are good philosophical points made throughout the book. It points out these basic concepts:
- “They keep moving the cheese.” (Change happens.)
- “Get ready for the cheese to move.” (Anticipate the change.)
- “Move with the cheese.” (Actually make the change.)
- “Enjoy the taste of new cheese.” (Enjoy the fruits of change.)
The book is very simple and makes a great point. As we read this book we could start relating the different characters in the book to our own life, and how we react to change. Sometimes the things which we treasured and hold close might be the one that obstruct us from our growth. Like Haw in the book, one should learn to overcome the fear one have of change; being willing to sacrifice that one treasured and move ahead in life with hope for better.
Relating the book to my personal life, I detest to part from people and things that are dear and close to me and find it difficult to accept the changes that comes on my way. The book made me to reflect on areas of my life where my own cheese has been moved and I have just been in denial and paralysis about it. But the book has the capabilities to change the attitude and inspire the reader to accept change and take as it comes.
Who Moved My Cheese can be very helpful for everyday life. I would recommend for all specially who are afraid of change and letting go off things to which they are attached (in Kinds and persons). Its an amazing book!!!
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Interesting review, enjoyed reading it.